<strong>The Trapp Family Lodge: </strong>This hotel steeped in history is set in the hills of Stowe, Vermont, which reminded Maria and Georg von Trapp of their Austrian homeland. Maria had hoped to farm there with their 10 children, but the short growing season led her to start welcoming guests.
The Trapp Family Lodge: This hotel steeped in history is set in the hills of Stowe, Vermont, which reminded Maria and Georg von Trapp of their Austrian homeland. Maria had hoped to farm there with their 10 children, but the short growing season led her to start welcoming guests.
Joshua Sarlo/CNN
<strong>The new lodge: </strong>Maria von Trapp opened the lodge to guests in 1950. After the original lodge burned down in December 1980, she allowed her youngest son, Johannes, to lead the rebuilding effort and professionalize the lodge. Johannes included a suite for his mother, who lived another four years on the property.
The new lodge: Maria von Trapp opened the lodge to guests in 1950. After the original lodge burned down in December 1980, she allowed her youngest son, Johannes, to lead the rebuilding effort and professionalize the lodge. Johannes included a suite for his mother, who lived another four years on the property.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>The real von Trapps:</strong> Johannes von Trapp (right) is the youngest son of Georg and Maria von Trapp. Von Trapp, his son Sam (left) and daughter Kristina own most of the shares in today's Trapp Family Lodge, and they operate it along with Kristina's husband, Walter Frame. A portrait of Maria is in the background.
The real von Trapps: Johannes von Trapp (right) is the youngest son of Georg and Maria von Trapp. Von Trapp, his son Sam (left) and daughter Kristina own most of the shares in today's Trapp Family Lodge, and they operate it along with Kristina's husband, Walter Frame. A portrait of Maria is in the background.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>Attention to detail:</strong> The dining room staff in the main lodge still wear Austrian-style attire for service, and new menu items are approved by the family to ensure they fit in with the von Trapp vision.
Attention to detail: The dining room staff in the main lodge still wear Austrian-style attire for service, and new menu items are approved by the family to ensure they fit in with the von Trapp vision.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>A tour bus destination: </strong>Hotel guests and day trippers enjoy family history tours, watching documentaries about the family and usually meeting Sam von Trapp or another family member at the end of the tour.
A tour bus destination: Hotel guests and day trippers enjoy family history tours, watching documentaries about the family and usually meeting Sam von Trapp or another family member at the end of the tour.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>Happiest in nature: </strong>Johannes and Sam von Trapp love to enjoy the outdoors on the 2,500-acre property. Johannes started a cross-country ski center 50 years ago, while Sam designed and built sustainable mountain bike trails on site eight years ago.
Happiest in nature: Johannes and Sam von Trapp love to enjoy the outdoors on the 2,500-acre property. Johannes started a cross-country ski center 50 years ago, while Sam designed and built sustainable mountain bike trails on site eight years ago.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>Early farm-to-table: </strong>While most of the country is now catching onto the local farm movement, Maria von Trapp and her family grew food here in the 1940s and 1950s out of necessity. The von Trapps now have cattle, pigs, sheep and laying hens, and menu items with family farm ingredients are marked on the menu.
Early farm-to-table: While most of the country is now catching onto the local farm movement, Maria von Trapp and her family grew food here in the 1940s and 1950s out of necessity. The von Trapps now have cattle, pigs, sheep and laying hens, and menu items with family farm ingredients are marked on the menu.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall: </strong>The newest offering is the family's year-old bierhall attached to the on-site lager brewery, which is just eight years old.
Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall: The newest offering is the family's year-old bierhall attached to the on-site lager brewery, which is just eight years old.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>A more casual option: </strong>The bierhall menu is still subject to family approval, but it gives guests more casual options than the main lodge's formal dining room.
A more casual option: The bierhall menu is still subject to family approval, but it gives guests more casual options than the main lodge's formal dining room.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>Attracting the locals:</strong> The bierhall also attracts locals, who often drive up or ride their bikes to visit.
Attracting the locals: The bierhall also attracts locals, who often drive up or ride their bikes to visit.
Channon Hodge/CNN
<strong>Spectacular sunsets: </strong>Watching the sunset from the lodge, one can imagine how Stowe would seem like the perfect place for the touring von Trapp family to settle down.
Spectacular sunsets: Watching the sunset from the lodge, one can imagine how Stowe would seem like the perfect place for the touring von Trapp family to settle down.
Joshua Sarlo/CNN